New 94 Escort LX wagon owner, have a few questions…

[twlunn]

Hello to all,

Car didn’t have a manual, will get a Hayes book or FSM soon…

Auto tranny/58,000 miles on vehicle.

• What kind of MPG can I expect (I tend to stay at or 5 MPH speed limit)
• What size gas tank is on this? Tank was full when purchased and haven’t ran it down yet
• Spark plug brand recommendations?
• What can I expect to pay for struts?
• Today’s temperature was 2 above. I have a 55 mile commute and the temperature was not very hot out of vents. Right hand side of temp. needle on gauge was lined up on the outside edge of the “N” in normal. Is this were it runs normally? Probly going to replace thermo...
• Any other problems to look out for or address soon? I’ve read a few posts concerning Head gaskets and timing belt.

TIA, Tom

[lawton_kid]

What kind of MPG can I expect (I tend to stay at or 5 MPH speed limit)
I get around 35 highway with 1.9L in '95 wagon.

What size gas tank is on this? Tank was full when purchased and haven’t ran it down yet
'94 wagon w/ 1.9L = 11.9 gallons........1.8L = 13.2 gallons

Spark plug brand recommendations?
Personally, I think Autolite is hard to beat for any Ford.

What can I expect to pay for struts?
Don't know.

Today’s temperature was 2 above. I have a 55 mile commute and the temperature was not very hot out of vents. Right hand side of temp. needle on gauge was lined up on the outside edge of the “N” in normal. Is this were it runs normally? Probly going to replace thermo...
Mine both have only 'C' and 'H', but the needle on mine run in the 10 to 11 o'clock position when warm.

Any other problems to look out for or address soon? I’ve read a few posts concerning Head gaskets and timing belt.
I'm sure timing belt should be changed out at somewhere between 50-75K miles and then you can forget about it for awhile.
I have 140K on one and about 150K on the other and never had a head gasket problem with either.
Check the serpentine belt for wear and replace as necessary.
Haven't really had any other common problems with mine, except the one that refuses to let me fix it's (VERY) flat spot.

Good luck and if you want to sell it, let me know.

[twlunn]

Thanks for the reply 'Kid.

Since I posted I've replaced the stuck 'stat, and badly worn timming and serpentine belts, new plugs, wires and filters. Just starting this weeks afternoon shifts so I'll see what the MPG's are.
Had a little trouble with the thermostat though...


Later, Tom

[lawton_kid]

You're welcome.

Did you get the bolt out or find a work-a-round?

Good Luck

[twlunn]

Yeah, got it out with new bits and a new kind of "Easyout" from Sears.

[mjohn]

am about to purchase a 1994...am excited to get some better gas milage as I hate to waste money...
We Americans are such rich fat cats that when I travel to foreign countries and see the poor...I can not longer justify wasting money especially on fuel...just had to air my gut...Best Wishes...

[twlunn]

Well I've put 2 tank fulls in it so far and am AVG. ~22 MPG. I expected a little better than that.

I drive the I80/94 route in the Chicagoland area and you must avg. 65-to 70 MPH or get run over, hehe!

So I'm wondering if it's just too cold lately (highs of 5 DEGS daytime, -5 at night the last few days) and it's running richer, hence poorer MPG.

Will an new or "cleaned" Mass Airfow sensor and/or new O2 sensor be the next options to look at to improve MPG?

TIA, Tom

[kkab228]

Hey Twlunn. I've got a 94 Ford Escort LX. My temp gauge only opend up to to the "N" in normal on the temp gauge as well. Replaced the thermo as well but didn't do much. Ultimately the heater core had to be replaced and now she warms up very nice and go to the "R" in the temp gauge. Not cheap to replace nor easy if you're doing it yourself. Oh, btw, do you happen to know where the thermo temp switch for the radiator is? The radiator fan will not engauge (does work though, tested & manually flipped the relay switch)

[kkab228]

Hey there :-) I have a 1994 Ford Escort LX. any idea where the thermo switch is located for / on the radiator for the radiator fan? Fan won't turn on, but it does work. I tested the relay switch and then manually engauged the relay and the fan turned on. Only thing left to replace is that darn themo temp switch & i can't seem to find it.

[twlunn]

Not off hand, will look in Hayes book for yah..
I to had to replace the heater core, Major PITA with the dash, console, etc...

Tom

[Berek]

Hey, Srry bout your luck with the heater core.my 95 did same thing.Would be going down the road with ac on and steam coming from vents.Feel for ya.Oh my 94 lx wagon gets about the same in gas mileage,but i do have a heavy foot.

[twlunn]

Berek: mileage in the summer months has been ~ 30-31 MPG-must of been the cooler air of winter dragg'in it down (?) anyway it's good now....
Tom